ECHO’s Maintenance and Rehabilitation Action Items

Action Item
Promote lead abatement and rehabilitation programs.
Action Steps
Make sure the general public, single family property owners and landlords are aware of the availability of funding to make units code compliant and lead safe.
Contact/status
Planning is underway to promote new ERA LHCD grant to the general public, landlord groups have been notified.
SMC is promoting the availability of rehab and lead programs through outreach efforts, classes, the HOME Program and during individual client counseling sessions.


Action Item
Assure on-going funding of lead abatement and rehabilitation programs.
Action Steps
Make sure current City LHC grant meets goals and is closed out on time.
The same for the new ERA LHCD grant.
Maintain a high level of use for rehabilitation programs to show / prove the need exists.
Explain the availability and criteria needed to secure lender financing.
Contact/status
Current City Lead Hazard Control Program will be complete in 10 months.
The new ERA Lead Hazard Control Demonstration Grant will begin operating in the County in the near term and when the current City Lead Program ends this program will also operate in the City.
NW Lead Consortium is also operating in the County.
Erie County HA does have limited rehab funds for use and does ERA.
SMC currently promotes lender financing.


Action Item
Seek judicial support for a Housing Court
Action Steps
Feel out district justices for their input and concerns.
Meet with Erie County president judge to review idea.
Travel to neighboring city that has an established Housing Court.
Contact/status
Contacted local district justice who has very serious concerns about the effectiveness of such a body.
-corruption, staff controlling the court, etc.
-we need to enforce what laws are already in place.


Action Item
Develop consistency in the application / design of enforceable codes along with actual code enforcement.
Action Steps
Model local codes after the new State mandated code requirements.
Get neighboring boroughs and municipalities to commit to code enforcement.
Re-establish a rent withholding program to work in conjunction with rental licensing and code enforcement.
Contact/status
New codes are mandated state-wide.
City of Erie has mandated rental unit inspections.



Action Item
Prioritize housing needs by community, area, etc.
Action Steps
Canvas borough, township and municipal elected officials for input into their localized needs.
Contact/status



Action Item
Secure tax claim and REO properties for recycling.
Action Steps
Locate properties for acquisition.
Contact/status